TWiN | This Weekend in Nashville | May 4-6

Spring touring is in full effect, and this weekend is just a sample of how many fantastic shows are hitting Music City this month. Not only is Ascend kicking off their 2018 season, we also have a packed slate of performers from the smallest of club shows to a chance to hang with the OG Talking Head at the Mother Church, along with all the punk, alternative, indie, electronic, metal, Americana, and pop you could ask for. Head below to see our full rundown of worthy shows in this week’s edition of TWiN!

FRIDAY

A band that should need no introduction, alt rock legends the Foo Fighters return to Nashville to headline Bridgestone Arena this Friday, after postponing a date originally slated for last October. This marks the Foos’ first show in Music City in three years, and first since the release of last year’s pretty stellar ninth full-length Concrete and Gold. With nearly 25 years and more than 1,000 shows to their name, the group are one of the last bastion’s of alt rock’s ’90s and ’00s proliferation, and they’re a magnetic, down to earth, and supremely passionate live force, and one of the few rock acts perfectly primed for arenas. Glam rock up and comers The Struts support, and you can read more about the show right here. [PO]

Since making a strong introduction in 2015 with their self-titled debut EP, local alternative/grunge pop group Reality Something, fronted by Elena Franklin and featuring Kingsley Brock (ex-Turbo Fruits), Ethan Place and Bill Grasely, have become a fixture in the Nashville rock scene, commanding a raw, powerful, enthralling sound. This Friday, the group will drop their debut full-length, Life Noise, through local tastemaking label Infinity Cat, and they’re celebrating with a Friday night show at The East Room. The supporting lineup is especially stacked too, with dreamy, lo-fi, indie rockers Fever Blush, psych/garage rockers Microwave Mountain, buzzy newcomers H.A.R.D., and poet Chrystal Wood. [PO]

While many may remember him for fronting seminal emo-infused pop punk outfit Something Corporate, or subsequent piano-driven alt rock group Jack’s Mannequin, acclaimed singer-songwriter Andrew McMahon has spent the last few years amassing quite the solo reputation under his latest moniker, Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness. His third major venture has found a ton of radio love and major media placements, propelled by a 2014 eponymous debut and last year’s great followup, Zombies on Broadway. McMahon hits Nashville regularly, but this is his first time at The Cowan, for a special acoustic show with a stacked lineup of Allen Stone, Zac Clark, and Bob Oxblood. Tickets won’t last, so grab ’em while you can. [PO]

While yes, Joe Keery, best known as Steve from Stranger Things, is a member of Chicago psych rock outfit Post Animal (though he seems to often be sitting out tours these days), but if that’s all you know about the group, you’re missing out. Formed in 2014, the band have toured with the likes of White Reaper and Twin Peaks, while releasing music at a pretty prolific clip, their most recent LP, When I Think of You in a Castle, marking their full-length debut through PolyVinyl. The band are hitting the festival circuit this summer, including Bonnaroo, but catching them in a more intimate space seems like the move. Chicago kindred spirits Town Criers support, along with local indie/alt rock outfit Body Origami. [PO]

With a mission to bring “together the 12South/Belmont /Hillsboro Village communities for the best in local food, art, shopping, pups, music & more,” the Sevier Park Fest hosted in, where else, Sevier Park, has become a great annual tradition. Before the all-day, all ages, free Saturday event, the ticketed Friday evening pre-festival concert returns as well, with a great trio of performers: southern rockers J Roddy Walston and the Business, Americana singer Amanda Shires, and indie groupSUSTO. Find out all about it here. [PO]

Portland, Oregon based hard rockers Red Fang will be ready to explode minds with unique brand of heavy, fairly complex but radio friendly tunes this weekend at Exit/In, and if you’re looking for a show to rock out too, this one is a great candidate. Hitting the sweet spot between rock and metal, RF really give everyone something to love, as long as you can appreciate guitars shredding and kick drums wailing. Like minded local power duo Friendship Commanders will be kicking off things on a powerful evening full of loud, raucous tunes. [JR]

Beloved local popster and producer Mikky Ekko is currently on tour, as part of Sirius XM’s “Advanced Placement” series, in anticipation of his upcoming Interscope released FAME, which is set to drop this year. The buzz is continuing to build this year for the talented artist, who will make appearances at a number of festivals this summer, including Bonnaroo. If you want a chance to catch a star on the rise, this Mercy Lounge show is sure to be an intimate affair, and may be your last chance to see him in a club setting. LA based popsters NoMBe and Aussie electro-pop outfit Mansionair are set to open this lively evening. [MH]

We’ve been enamored with indie pop/rock outfit Volunteer for a few years now, and we just premiered the latest track, “On The Line,” a couple of days ago. You’ll get the chance to catch the Cory Quintard-helmed project on Friday night with husband/wife duo and local faves Elenowen, who are also celebrating the release of their new single “Deep in the Night,” and local pop-influenced songwriter Adam Agin. [MH]

Brooklyn based rockers Spirit Animal have been drumming up buzz for a few years now, combining a nostalgia for old school, no-frills, hard hitting rock with electro-laced, poppy modern sensibilities. Known for their energetic and engaging live show, the band are set to headline the original Basement this weekend with a little help from local rockers The Cunning. [PO]

Cafe Coco has really become a haven for under the radar, unorthodox shows, and Friday night’s lineup will definitely thrill any hardcore fans of industrial music. Headliners W.O.R.M. (The World Organization of the Righteous Movement) bring a Nine Inch Nails esque heavy industry flair, as well as strong social commentary, and they’re joined by likeminded industrial/electronic local group Allofher Twitch and Resistance House Band. [PO]

Hailing from Athens, GA, and rocking electronic laced improvised jams since their inception in 1997, Perpetual Groove are a staple in the jam scene that certainly have enough talent to garner cross over appeal to music fans of many different stripes. Basically if you like a nice funky groove that you can shake your booty too, this band’s for you! Funk, soul and Americana influenced Tennessee based outfit Three Star Revival will open up for what promises to be an extra funky night of dance tunes that you can move your body to. [JR]

SATURDAY

Beloved San Francisco based rockers The Brian Jonestown Massacre return to Nashville on Saturday night for what is sure to be another mind-spinning display of their psychedelic-tinged guitar driven sound. There has been a lot of buzz surrounding this band since they first came into the scene in the early ’90s. They were featured in the 2004 documentary Dig!, which documented the love-hate relationship with fellow indie rockers, The Dandy Warhols, which, despite both bands’ criticism of the film, has only helped to cement their status as indie rock icons. The group doesn’t tour at nearly the frequency they did earlier in their career, and a chance to catch them, along with like-minded Atlanta based rockers The Head, at Cannery Ballroom on Saturday night. [MH]

Celebrating the tenth anniversary of their cult favorite sophomore release Mission Control, Athens formed, Nashville based garage rockers The Whigs are set to play the whole thing in full Saturdayat The Basement East. Joining in on the fun for the fan-focused, extra special show are eclectic local indie/alt-country rocker Bobby Bare Jr. and garage rock up and comers Staying For The Weekend, and tickets are still available as of writing. A must-see for Whigs fans, or, really, fans of expertly crafted garage rock in general, you can read more about the show in our full preview. [PO]

LOOK WHAT I DID w/ BORN EMPTY, VOLTAGEHAWK@ The End | 9pm (8pm doors) | $10 | 18+

Long-running local proggy, math-y, politically-charged, punk-tinged heavy rockers Look What I Did have long been a staple of Nashville’s underground scene (well before we achieved “it city” status). Though less active than in their heyday, the band still spring to life intermittently to release new music and perform, and their latest outing at The End pairs them with another criminally-underrated long-time local project- spazzy, chaotic, melodic rockers Born Empty, who’ve become increasingly more active over the last year or two. Voltagehawk open things up, and this is a must if you’re curious to explore a weird, artsy, heavy side of the local scene that doesn’t get enough attention. [PO]

Beloved radio program Prairie Home Companion has a new look these day. Recently rebranded as “Live From Here” and hosted by Nickel Creek mandolinist Chris Thile, the long-running program is reaching a broader demographic, and attracting the likes of left of center artists to appeal to the younger indie rock crowd. They’ll be doing a live performance at The Ryman Auditorium on Saturday with Aussie songwriter and indie rock darling Courtney Barnett, comedian Neal Brennan, songwriter and long-time Gillian Welch sidekick David Rawlings, and more. While this show is known for touring to live audiences, this is still a relatively rare opportunity, and the lineup for this edition makes it a not to miss spectacle. [MH]

A pretty stellar option for fans of adventurous rock looking for inexpensive (or free) weekend happenings, Missouri experimental, punk-tinged noise rockers Bad Investments and noise/alt/post-punk outfit More Gorgeous roll through town this weekend to head up a free show at Two Boots. With local support from psych-tinged post-rockers Kanopi and indie rockers Lawndry, this is a solid Saturday bet. [PO]

After Friday night’s stacked preview concert, Sevier Park Fest‘s Saturday is the main affair. An all-day, all ages, free event, you can expect a variety of great local venders, food, art, games, bike races, books, a dog area, and four stages of music and DJs, including Devon Gilfillian, Forest Fire Gospel Choir, The Medium, and tons more. For the full rundown and a sampling of the performers, be sure to read our full preview. [PO]

Local blues flavored rocker Jack Berry will be headlining a tasty bill at Little Harpeth Brewing, and fans of the blog should already know that Jack has a new EP on the way, so look for some fresh tunes from the talented picker and songwriter. With some other very familiar local names on the bill, like indie rock outfit Scale Model and alt rocker Lauren Strange, it’s going to be a splendid night of music, at a brewery full of great local beer! Help support tow vibrant Nashville scenes in one fell swoop, and don’t spend a fortune doing it. [JR]

A growing mainstay in the local underground scene, Tennessee Muscle Candy perform a wonderful blend of garage pop and psych rock that seems to hit all the sweets spots for fans of both genres. Filling out this stacked bill will be experimental rock ensemble Spirits Republic, gothic Americana performers Soviet Shiksa, and macabre southern roots music performs Blood on the Harp. That’s four very unique listening experiences for just five beans, making this easily one of the best low dough shows of the entire weekend. If funds are tight, but you have to see some good live music this weekend, look no further on for your Saturday plans. [JR]

SUNDAY

Described as “a choreographed concert that Byrne has called ‘the most ambitious show I’ve done since the shows that were filmed for Stop Making Sense,’” the American Utopia tour sounds very, well, David Byrne, who’s become an icon not just for his music, but for his contributions in film, photography, opera, literature, and more. The new LP itself, his first solo effort in 14 years, is an extension of Byrne’s ongoing “Reasons To Be Cheerful” multimedia series, which collects stories, news, ideas, and other items that all either embody or identify examples of things that inspire optimism. With only a couple of tickets left at writing, it’s likely to be sold out by the time you read this, but if you scored a spot, you’re in for what’s likely to be the best show of the weekend, with one of the most important and profound musical icons of all time. [PO]

Those of you that have been with us for a long time know that Beck holds a special place in our heart. The modern icon of alt rock has been one of the most prolific, genre-bending, and enduring talents of his generation, and continues to advance in mainstream attention and cultural relevance with inspired efforts like last year’s Colors. While we’ve seen Beck many times, including at The Ryman and countless festivals, no two Beck performances are ever alike, and with his vast and beloved back catalogue, it’s always an opportunity to see some different material ranging through all of his stellar styles and phases. With the inspired choice of old school New Orleans jazz outfit the Preservation Hall Jazz Band in support, this is one of the weekend’s hottest tickets, and on a less busy night, it would’ve been long sold out- fortunately a handful of tickets remain, but we wouldn’t procrastinate. [PO]

Though they’ve only been around for a few years, LA’s Teenage Wrist are already one of the most rising acts in the punk scene, combining shoegaze, punk, and alternative to achieve their grungy, garage rock sound. 2015 debut EP Dazed was a fantastic introduction, but it’s this year’s Epitaph released debut LP Chrome Neon Jesus that absolutely has us floored, and makes it clear this band have a huge career ahead of them. With support from ambient/emo-influenced/post-rock local faves Pale Lungs and Florida alt/emo band Intervention, this is looking like the coolest under the radar event of the weekend, and a cheap, of-the-moment alternative to Sunday’s pricier legacy performances. [PO]

“Purveyors of darkly inflected psychedelia with swirls of shoegaze and drone-rock,” nostalgic, ’80s influenced post-punk outfit Mayflower Madame hail all the way from Norway, and will stop through Nashville’s own The East Room Sunday night. For just $5, you also get country and garage tinged dreamy local retro rockers The Bad Signs and psyched out dream popsters I’m An Island. That’s a hell of a cool bill, and if you like moody, under the radar rock, it’s a strong Sunday contender. [PO]

R&B singer-songwriter and producer PJ Morton is perhaps best known for being a member of Maroon 5, but for many years has also cultivated an impressive solo career, combining the sounds of his New Orleans upbringing with contemporary r&b, funk, soul, pop and hip hop. His latest, self-released effort, last year’s Gumbo, is an eclectic and impressive mix of the singer’s broad swath of influences, and feels especially honed from his acclaimed work as a songwriter and producer for other prominent artists. With his impressive pedigree, it’s on surprise Morton’s Sunday night show at Exit/In with Brik.Liam is totally sold out. [PO]

Philly electro/synthpop duo Marian Hill have been amassing all kinds of buzz over the last several years, with huge placements, festival and tour dates, and radio hits. Their r&b infused sound feels both familiar an thoroughly modern, and with two LPs in three years, they’ve proven their range, versatility, and staying power. Along with alt/indie up and comer Michl, their Sunday night stop at The Basement East is yet another strong contender to finish your weekend on a high note. [PO]

LA folk-infused indie rockers Magic Giant have only been around for a few years, but have already earned a steady stream of buzz thanks to last year’s anthemic, pop accessible debut LP In the Wood. The group head up Lightning 100’s Nashville Sunday Night at 3rd and Lindsley this weekend, along with indie popsters Young Rising Sons. If you like big, modern, singalong primed rock, circle this one on your calendar. [PO]

If you’re looking for some free, quality tunes Sunday night, The Cobra has you covered with a cool, late show in the front bar. Hailing from Richmond, VA, Neat Sweep play a punk-tinged flavor of garage pop that definitely has us hooked. They’ll be joined by locals Monsters on Television and Daytona Machines for a sweet Sunday hang. [PO]

Progeny of legendary southern rock icon Gregg Allman, Devon Allman is eager to push forward with his own next chapter (with his backing band, performing as The Devon Allman Project), while also honoring his late father’s tremendous contributions to the art form, by keeping his legacy going. The six piece band will also be welcoming special guest Duane Betts, also the son of a legend, Allman Brothers co-founder Dickey Betts. Devon and Duane have known each other since they were teenagers, and the fact they’ve both had to live behind the massive shadows cast by their fathers has no doubt created a bond unlike any other. Long time fans of Gregg, or the Allman Brothers, and really southern rock/jam fans in general, should not be passing on this unique night of epic music. [JR]